"The tool, often called CRISPR for short, was first shown to be able to snip DNA in 2011. It consists of a protein and a cousin of DNA, called RNA. Scientists can use it to cut DNA strands at very precise locations, enabling them to remove mutated parts of genes from a strand of genetic material. "
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of this type of tech.
I fear this type of tech for the possible long term side effects of manipulating our genes.
CRISPR-CAS9 tool is only being used for research now, but it’s use in humans, other animals and plants on a large scale is inevitable.
Thanks to science we live in an ethically murky area. Now we can do all sorts of genetic testing; what do you do with the results? Let’s say your child, a girl, tests positive for the BRCA gene and has a high probability of developing breast cancer. What do you do with this?
The next step is fixing or bypassing those genes. But we don’t know the downhill sequelae, and side effects, etc.
On first blush it’s easy to be supportive of this, but I see all sorts of potential pitfalls and perils.
There has never been a better time in history to be a human being on the planet. You are less likely to die of starvation or violence than at any point prior, even the most impoverished humans today are wealthier than they ever were, and most of us enjoy a standard of living with luxuries that were unthinkable to the wealthiest people just a few generations prior.
In America’s history there were politicians and journalists imprisoned for being anti-war, over 50% of the population had fewer rights extended to them than we think of as a minimum, and you have more rights and freedoms than was historically possible never mind theoretically protected.
Humans have been genetically modifying plants since we came into existence at least 200,000 years ago, and it’s likely that our ancestors did too so perhaps for millions of years. We’ve been genetically modifying/selectively breeding ourselves for that long too.
CRISPR-CASx is not a human invention. Life on earth uses the exact same mechanism to modify itself every single second. It’s more accurate and cheaper than earlier methods we used.
I think it’s one thing to be a short term pessimist, but in general there has never been a better time to be alive, and almost everything points to your great grandkids saying that too.
There is no question in my mind that gene manipulation and splicing will be technically feasible and potentially widespread within 10 years. Whether it comes into widespread use remains to be seen due to the obvious moral and ethical questions.
This technology is absolutely incredible and the next big thing in my opinion. It could pave the way to cure things once thought to be impossible. Sure there are ethical considerations to be discussed but that shouldn’t shut everything down
I hate to say it but your pro is actually a con. Super humans will get tired of their inferior brethren and wipe them out. Wait until humans with literally superhuman powers decide the rest of us are “in the way” or “consuming their resources.”
Probably the same way we support a population that’s twice as big as what was thought to be unsustainable just a few decades ago(with less land use and fewer energy inputs.)
I wonder if those suffering from Muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, Huntington’s, Cystic Fibrosis, hemophilia, and maybe even multiple sclerosis agree.
If your child was likely to develop life threatening allergies(like can exist with peanut, shellfish, or bee allergies,) and all it took to fix that and only that was something like an immunization shot for your pregnant wife, you would still feel that way?
Forgive the hyperbole, but this kind of thinking is the same type of crap that resulted in astronomers and other scientists being killed. That nothing good could possibly come from challenging the status quo line of “the earth is flat and the sun revolves around us.” That the only outcome would be the destruction of faith.
My son has a genetic neurological disorder. He’s had it since he was born. Nothing in this world would make me happier than to toss some football or play basketball with him, or be able to take him swimming without having to hold him all the time.
I’m a realist, I decided long ago those things were never going to happen. I also decided a long ago to appreciate him, and let him do anything that he wants to do that won’t kill him. Now if I could just inherit his six pack abs.
Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes something or other…
They will splice animal characteristics into the human genome. Want a soldier that can go weeks without water? Splice in camel genes. How about a soldier that has a built-in layer of bulletproof armor? Splice in armadillo genes, or turtle genes or something. Create a hybrid organic/kevlar material that the creature grows in the womb. The end result: it will eventually be difficult to prevent these “modifications” from finding their way into the general population through procreation.
At some point, certain modifications will become so popular that they will proliferate like Viagara prescriptions. Again, normal inadequate humans won’t be able to compete. Imagine trying to get a job with your “normal” brain when your competition is a bunch of genetically-enhanced geniuses.
Who knows what long-term consequences come about as a result of gene-splicing? Will new diseases be created? Will an attempt to extend the human lifespan backfire creating a fatal condition?
We must stop this nonsense NOW. I hate be blunt but every bit and byte of data concerning this should be eradicated and the people working on it should be prevented from every working on it again.
With all due respect to you and your situation, I think the danger to the rest of us outweighs the benefits. Sure, it’s nice to cure something and I wish the best for you and yours, but you KNOW this technology will be misused. Just like nuclear power can light cities or destroy them completely, this will become a blessing and a nightmare as well.
I’m not unsympathetic: I’ve got a mother with Alzheimer’s that I’d love to have cured. But what if that cure creates monsters that destroy our entire civilization?
